[Closed] Selling a bike - handover from home?

Pick up from home but have the bike out and away from your other bikes before they arrive. Online bank transfer on collection, done within seconds and no issues with dodgy notes.

I woud try to figure out who the buyer is and what they are like first. If you feel they are dodgy, then dont sell to them. A proper conversation on the phone is better than text / emails.

I sold a car the other day and communicated by phone, I was able to weed out a few who just sounded like a problem or trouble not worth having. Easy with a proper conversation, close to impossible online.

Also, dont be in a hurry to sell, take your time and you will limit your risks.

as above, bike ready to go, garage locked up, shed locked up, don't let them in the garden to sus anything else out. for all they know i dont have a bike myself. I did paypal gift over phone. worked a treat. but this was for a kids bike, so not much.

At home (I’m concerned about giving a stranger my address as I’ve got other bikes that I’d rather not get stolen), or somewhere else, (e.g. a carpark)?

Understandable, but if you were buying a bike and the seller wanted to meet at a carpark would you think they had something to hide?

And if they ask to test ride it, quite reasonably, what then? Watch as they disappear over the horizon? I'm in the same position myself and I'm concerned already, even with no definite buyer yet.
Totally agree about the telephone conversation though, you can usually get a feel for someone when you're speaking to them. Much the same with texts which are spelt correctly and punctuated.

Thanks all, good points. I shall take my time a bit & see what comes in & hide stuff away. Maybe I'll meet them up the street a bit too. I read somewhere that bank transfers you're best to wait until the following day before letting go of the item being sold?

I though Paypal Gift was a big no-no, i.e. the buyer can reverse it easily?

Same issues here!

8 mins ago
Dominik2605 says:
I need a bike asap
7 mins ago
Dominik2605 says:
I am interested in buying your bike

Yeah, its a nightmare! 😀
I'll attach a rope to the bike for the test ride!

Trust noone! 🙂

It would be a no from me, usually allow pick up from work or post but working from home at the moment.

We sold one last night within a few minutes of advertising on here and Pinkbike.

A few messages and we agreed to meet halfway, he brought the cash, had a good look over the bike, everyone was happy. Social distancing adhered to.

You can never be too careful with someone you don't know

I though Paypal Gift was a big no-no, i.e. the buyer can reverse it easily?

For home collection, yes absolutely. Bank transfer all the way.

Be aware that occasionally a bank transfer isn't instantaneous as I discovered recently when buying a truing stand and my bank app decided this was the moment to say "this transaction may take a few hours to complete". Bugger.

As it happens, we'd been stood on the chap's drive for an hour already chatting bikes and local rides, so he was happy to take it on trust, recognising a genuine cyclist from someone trying to rip him off. Helped that I had my club fleece on too 🙂

As others have said - learn to trust your buyer and you can't go wrong. If in doubt, walk away. You don't have to sell to them.

I though Paypal Gift was a big no-no, i.e. the buyer can reverse it easily?

Not AIUI. Same as a bank transfer.

PayPal goods and services is the one to avoid if paying on collection.

I've sold a few bikes during lockdown.
1. Decide on an ambitious price and don't accept any less on the first day.
2. The bike is still for sale until they turn up and pay for it - bank transfer is best.
2a. Get them to transfer a small test amount to check the numbers are right before firing several hundred £ to the wrong account - also addresses the delayed payment issue.
3. If people must have it without seeing it, they need to pay a deposit - £25 minimum to secure it until they arrive.
4. Keep all other bikes and valuables locked away and only present the bike for sale.
5. Try to do it all by messenger / messaging - don't give phone number away unless you can avoid it.
6. Take a photo of the buyer / their vehicle if you can - obvs surreptitiously if you can.
7. Try to find out where they are travelling from. The further they are travelling, the more they want it, the less likely they are to walk away if you stick to your price.

I'm more relaxed about text speak in messages now 🙂

Obvs if you are the buyer, the revers of all this is true.

sold a bike via Gumtree on Monday for 3 times what I would have got pre lockdown. had the usual wots ur best price mate, I'll take this for £40 now if you can deliver (60 mile round trip) 😁 Will you post to Latvia?

Anyway filtered out to one sensible chap, who came to house in his works van he gave it the once over a wee pedal up and down street, hand over of cash and he was away. Apart from the FB marketplace and gumtree fools it was easy.

In the 90's when all motor vehicles were considered fair game, I sold a motorbike in the lobby of Charles Cross Police station in Plymouth. Bike was outside, but money and docs etc all changed hands in lobby. Reception person checked cash for authenticity with a UV light. Suggesting that really helped to weed out the dodgy types. It helped on both sides as they guy who bought it was super concerned about buying a nicked bike.

I'll install my bank's mobile app, I'll ask for payment that way rather than cash, and test txn is a good idea too. 🙂

Sold three during lock down, 2 for cash, one by bank transfer which was instant. Just did them all on my driveway and didn't have any other bikes in sight just in case. Didn't have any issues.

Because the price was right and it wasn't too far from where I lived, I delivered a bike to it's new owners house a few weeks ago. Avoided a stranger scoping my gaff out, (or the possibility of, he was a nice bloke) and if he did want to "take it for a test ride", I'd have just waited for him to get back.

That a possibility?

Going to them is also a great idea, but I'd want full payment or a sizeable deposit before I travelled any distance.

Taking to their house if nearby is a good idea, I'll keep it in mind, thanks.

I've not yet had any further leads & i want to keep the ad up for a few days to see what comes in.

I met a chap in a local supermarket car park - he'd driven there but didn't even want to do a test ride, just handed over the cash. He'd got brand new 50s though so I was a bit wary of them - if taking cash then brush up on the verification features of the new notes.

Sold 4 in the last 2 months 2 from home and 2 from Newbury services all worked out fine done a lot over the years but you are getting some weird emails these days mind did meet someone while back which was very odd never sold the bike just totally strange but as said above bike in house or outside ready classic way to see the timewasters is so little questions about the bike and as said above this ASAP business not easy now you really do have to be on your guard would never sell a motorbike this way just PX you here some real nightmare stories about that.

I feel dead wary about taking cash and I'm not sure why. Seem to think everyone is out to scam me haha

I bought a bike from the classifieds here at the weekend. All socially distanced on their drive with no other bikes/equipment in view. Payment by direct bank transfer and I waited until the money hit his account.

If I'd gone for a test ride (bike was too small for me, it was for Miss Eyestwice) he could've just sold my car if I hadn't returned 🙂 Guess someone could turn up in a nicked car but what would be the point in that when they'd get more for fencing the car than the value of the bike?

From a buyer perspective it does help to buy from somewhere such as here of course, if it's from an established member.

I never sell a bike from home. Lots of us riders have N+1 in the shed of value and often riders sell to upgrade, so that means a newer shinier bike incoming. I don't know the buyer and I'd rather they don't case the house and my belongings.

Instead I meet at a public car park with people around and CCTV. Makes it safer for everyone involved. I just ask for the car key, cash or something if they came by themselves and want a test ride.

I’ve always tried to avoid selling from home but the last two have gone on eBay that way. I’ve listed them on £1 listing offers so when they’ve offered cash on collection I’ve asked for PayPal upfront. I’ve only sold to people with good consistent feedback.

Bike away from the others ready at the front porch when they arrive to collect. It turns out they were decent sorts in both instances, one said he was impressed how sensible I’d been because he was a copper.

I'm having this dilemma at the moment. I have in the past sold bikes and cars with people coming to the doorstep and generally its been fine and the buyers have been genuine. but recently (before lockdown) I advertised a bike (on gumtree or FB marketplace) and got loads of those messages instantly stating 'yeah ill take it' for the asking price....then 'what's your address'. I have heard plenty of stories (including first hand experience from a friend locally) of people advertising bikes....a buyer coming to view them....saying they will think about it and that night their shed / garage is broken into.

I have bought a bike in a car park before and it was fine. Did loads of talking to the seller and made sure he was genuine and he obviously sussed me out. I do think some of the others above do have a point though that it might look a bit dodgy to sell bikes in a pub / supermarket car park though!!

The safest way may well be ebay. Then at least you can accept payment before its delivered. you can then post / deliver collect it. if someone is really interested in ebay they will generally get in touch and ask questions. Much less like to have people offering a swap for an air-rifle and a scooter!! I think this may be my go to next time despite the fees.

The problem with ebay is they could do a dispute or charge-back or whatever or say it didn't arrive & no doubt it'd be nigh on impossible to resolve in the sellers favour. I've sold plenty small value stuff on ebay without trouble, but not a bike.

Would you be wary of people who have only joined pinkbike in the last 3-4 weeks?

Understandable, but if you were buying a bike and the seller wanted to meet at a carpark would you think they had something to hide?

I'll echo that.

It's difficult, I understand people being wary of their addresses, but if it does turn out to be stolen or something, do you really want to be saying "I bought it off this guy in a carpark?"

I met a chap in a local supermarket car park – he’d driven there but didn’t even want to do a test ride, just handed over the cash.

I'm like that - I never get anything out of a car park test ride.

I sold on ebay last week with home collection (£1 fees deal). I got about 35% more than I would have pre-lockdown. I set a cheeky fixed price with offers, expecting to take the closest offer over the weekend. It went crazy, I got a dozen offers within an hour and then some chap bought it at the buy-it-now price. He paid with paypal (3.4% part of the £1 fees T&Cs) and collected the next day (drove 2.5h) , so no money needed to be exchanged. I asked him to sign a collection receipt and job done. He was a nice chap, I hope he enjoys the bike.
My advice is avoid Gumtree and FB and list on ebay with 12 very good pics and a long, detailed, honest description.

list on ebay with 12 very good pics and a long, detailed, honest description

I did that recently with a CAAD8 frameset and wheels, but couldn't be arsed dealing with the inevitable knuckleheads. Ended up taking it to a good shop near me and giving it to him for cheap, to sell on and grow his maintenance/second hand business.

from some people who I was later told were definitely travelling people when I described them

😮

Erm... sorry I probably shouldn't have said that.

One little thing to add, when arranging the meet you don't have to give your full address in advance, road name alone or place round the corner etc. Then when they arrive you can go to your house - people who plan to rob you aren't that likely to actually turn up to view but might say they want to.

I've sold through Facebook to people. Was happy for them to come to my front door as you can check them out a bit first. Most were obviously real cyclists based on pictures and visible information. Often we had mutual friends within the cycling world if it is a local sale of something more top end.

I have met a few people in public places for convenience. Probably tricky now but recently I met in the centre of Newcastle or in the front lobby of a supermarket.

Always Cash though. Have done bank transfer for a car. Might need to hang around.

As for test rides. I've heard some stories. Fake car keys and documents. If anyone ever asked I'd ask them to hand over the money with a limited time (hour) to get a refund if the bike is returned unchanged.

I got a bank transfer as he stood in my yard, everything worked out well. Got more than I would have pre lockdown!

I did pinkbike and Facebook and sold within 12 hours. Facebook got loads more attention but I linked to the pinkbike ad.

12 photos showing every little chip and scratch I could fine and I was probably overly critical about the bike, honesty is the best way. That also means he can’t come back and complain about any thing after.

Wondering if it’s worth selling my good bike as well while the going is good 🤔.

https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/aberdeen/546331/hero-aberdeen-man-saved-brothers-life-after-savage-stab-attack-in-edinburgh/

Just one look in the gardens should make your mind up not to linger

I bought a Brompton from a guy in Edinburgh about 5 years ago. He made sure I didn't know his address - not in a confrontational way, he just asked me where I worked, what my route home was and would it be easier if I met him somewhere enroute where I could try it out. The bike was great and I didn't really think about it until the next week, then it started to annoy me. So I pulled the location exif data from from the ad photos and worked out his address from there.

When I bought my dh bike off of here I met the guy in a park.i was happy as it was large and sloped so I could get up to speed while testing it.

slight digression but re bank transfers - i sold a motorbike once, i was staying in a rented london flat at the time so was happy to do the transaction at home. This bloke came down on a train from Birmingham i think, he came in and his bank transfer wouldnt work! he was adamant he was genuine and even showed me his balance fwiww. he sat there for hours trying to get it sorted while i made him endless brews. i wanted rid of him but no way was i letting him take the bike. the bloke was after spending the night there!! 😀 i obviously politely told him to eff off and he ended up staying in a hotel! all got sorted the next day and he drove home on it, turns out his wife had bought something else that day and maxed the withdrawal limit! - turned into an expensive purchase for him!!

Do people who are wary about their home addresses never post bike things? Or if they do, do they not put return addresses on? Or for that matter, do they never buy second hand bike things and have them posted to them?

I totally get the worry over "I have other shiny bikes and I don't want to be a target" thing, but it seems a bit incongruent with sending/receiving shiny bits.

Just get the OH on standby with a recording of rabid dog sounds and apologise to the buyer that you can't invite him in because your Old Amazonian Lurcherhound doesn't take well to strangers and the police have said that if he savages any more visitors then he'll have to go without pudding. For a week.

But he's definitely calming down and the latest postman's getting by fine with one arm.

Always use works address for sending and receiving.
Once bitten, twice shy. The feeling you get when someone breaks in and takes stuff is'nt worth the risk of letting a stranger turn up.

Is it safe to sell a bike using ebay/paypal when it's collection only? Can they claim they didn't get the bike and try a charge back via paypal?

PayPal gift only for collection. Or make sure you get photo evidence and or receipt for collection and message the seller in Ebay with it once sale is completed.